Carbon Filter Pads

[guppy77]

Hi all. i have been using carbon filter pads in a fluval 3+ to reduce colouration in water from some bogwood and it is reccommended that the pads are replaced weekly. do they really need to be replaced this often. could they be left longer without releasing anything back into the water. hope this makes sense.
thanks
john

 

[guppy77]

sorry i have just found a thread that answers my question. should of done a search first
thanks

 

[OldMan47]

Carbon will become less effective over time and when it stops helping with the color "problem" is soon enough to change it. Depending on what is in your water, the carbon could last from just a few days to several weeks. Carbon will only release things into your water if it is exposed to something that adheres better to the carbon. If you have done nothing else to the tank but put carbon into the filter, the carbon will basically slow down and stop being useful but it will not contaminate the tank. I put the problem in quotes because it depends on your point of view whether colored water is a problem or is desirable. There are quite a few people who really like the "black water" look in their tanks.

 

[guppy77]

thanks for your reply. i was just using the carbon to try and reduce the colour from my bogwood but to be honest did not seem to make much diference. found doing extra water changes was far better and more beneficial to my fish at the same time